More Coverage

Related Stories

The Raptors feel pretty good at the moment, but a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday would change that quickly.

Though Toronto has won 10 of its past 13 games, a loss against the team it is looking up at, would give the Dinos just a 3-3 record on this homestand with four road tilts coming up in the next six games.

The team certainly owes the Bucks. Milwaukee has won each of the past seven meetings between the clubs.

"They're a tough, hard-nosed team. It's going to be a totally different mindset. (The Raptors' win over Charlotte on Friday) was more finesse, where (Sunday) is more of a physical, get after you, hard-nosed type of game and we've struggled with Milwaukee in my year-and-a-half here," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said.

Milwaukee leads the NBA in blocks per game (7.77, with at least 10 blocks in each of the past four games) largely thanks to league leader Larry Sanders, who has been unleashed this season, first by Scott Skiles, and now by Skiles' replacement, Jim Boylen.

The VCU star took a while to earn NBA minutes, but is having a huge impact.

"He goes after everything. We've got to be ready for that, we can't go in there weak, can't stand and watch him. Have to be ready to move the ball," Casey said after practice on Saturday.

"You have to go in there with the intent of drawing a foul, drawing contact. Go in there with authority, go for his body, have action behind you to make him pay for coming to block shots, you can't just stand there and say: 'I'm watching the Larry Sanders Show,' I've got to make a move and cut to the basket to counter that."

Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan, who grew up with Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings, said the team understands what to do against a group filled with shot-blockers.

According to DeRozan, Milwaukee's aggressiveness might even benefit the home side.

"I think that makes them more vulnerable. Just drive and look for the bigs. Amir (Johnson) and Ed (Davis) have been doing a great job of spacing out, doing all the little things," DeRozan said.

"If we create and get Larry Sanders to commit, one of the bigs will be open for a dunk, so just take advantage of it."

As well, the Raptors would be helped by repeating their success from outside. On Friday, the team made 12 three-point baskets.

The Bucks offence could be more of a problem. Jennings and Monta Ellis always are threats to go off and now, big man Ersan Ilyasova finally has found his shooting stroke.

After a bad start to the season, the Turkish forward has shot .531 from three over his past 15 games.

DeRozan said he and his teammates are not paying attention to the playoff race yet.

"We're just in a desperate mode right now. Every game we feel like we've got to have it, no matter what," he said.

"We've still got a lot more to prove. A long ways to go to be where we want to be."

Sponsored Links

Physical matchup with Bucks next for Raptors

The Raptors feel pretty good at the moment, but a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday would change that quickly.

Though Toronto has won 10 of its past 13 games, a loss against the team it is looking up at, would give the Dinos just a 3-3 record on this homestand with four road tilts coming up in the next six games.